The hands-only method involves only chest compressions and does not include the mouth-to-mouth breathing that was part of all CPR training until several years ago. The American Heart Association and others endorse the compression-only method for the public to use to revive heart attack victims.

Each year about 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack and 470,000 people who have already had at least one attack will have another, health officials say. Fewer than one-third of people who suffer a heart attack at home or in public receive CPR from a bystander.

“We believe that if we can double the number of bystanders who actually do CPR, we will save lives,” said Dr. Jim Dunford, president of the American Heart Association San Diego Division and the city of San Diego medical director.